Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, who is trying to rebuild his image before the 2013 NFL Draft, reportedly made an ominous statement to at least one NFL team during a predraft visit.

An assistant coach of one team told USA Today that when Mathieu was asked by that club how many drug tests he had failed before he was suspended from college, his response was: “I quit counting at 10. I really don’t know.”

However, Mathieu took issue with the information and how it was released in a statement Friday.

"It is irresponsible and shows a lack of integrity for anyone to disclose medical information regardless of how it was gathered," Mathieu said in a statement that LSUSports.net published. "I would expect that conversations regarding my drug testing history during the course of my medical treatment would be private. LSU has a strong drug testing program and LSU went to great lengths to help me in my treatment and recovery.

"I understand that many people enjoy reading about the negative side of sports, but to publish those second-hand comments without being given a chance to address that comment prior to publication of the article is irresponsible."

At the Scouting Combine, Mathieu said his arrest was a big part of what changed his direction.

"I thought my bottom was when I got kicked out of school," Mathieu said. "I think when I got arrested in October, that was a different bottom. So I decided to go to rehab. But this time, rehab was for Tyrann. I just wasted going to do it for publicity or because my school told me to go. I actually wanted to get my problem corrected."

Mathieu is in the middle of a two-week trip in which he is meeting with 10 teams. "This is his job interview," agent Patrick Lawlor told USA Today. "It's just a matter of presenting himself as a professional."

The Cincinnati Bengals, who have taken a chance on many problem players, held a private workout session with Mathieu before his pro day and have an open mind toward him.

"People misstep sometimes," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told USA Today. "It comes down to us having confidence that a person has turned a corner."